The Warren Middle School

The Warren Middle School sits on a grassy hill overlooking the Catlin Gabel paddock and Barn. The building is dedicated to sixth through eighth grade students and their teachers.

Young adolescents like to see what’s going on. And they like to be seen. The Warren Middle School was constructed with this in mind. The central commons is a spacious atrium designed for meetings, assemblies, and hanging out. The commons is especially lively before and after school, during lunch, and during breaks when students and teachers get together for relaxed conversation and fun.

In addition to math, English, history, and foreign language classrooms, the Warren Middle School houses three well-equipped science laboratories, an art studio filled with natural light, and a beautiful library that holds a collection that supports the curriculum and reading interests of young adolescents. Three portable computer labs allow students to work on laptops with the latest software right in their classrooms. The learning center provides a place for students to explore their learning styles, work with tutors, and get extra help. The counselor’s cozy corner office serves students seeking a quiet place to collect their thoughts or engage in conversation with the counselor when guidance is needed.

Behind the unique name of each classroom is a story for students to discover and share with incoming students. For example, the Chapultepec classroom (used by Spanish classes) is named after the famous park in Mexico City. Biosphere, one of the science labs, was named for the part of the Earth in which life can exist. Other rooms include Fenway, Treasure Island, and Parallel Universe.

Students often venture beyond the Warren Middle School for classes in the gym, woodshop, drama studio (Chipmunk Hollow), and music studio (Outback). They buy snacks and lunch in the Barn, our cafeteria, providing further opportunity to stretch growing muscles, enjoy fresh air, and practice independence. The Murphy Athletic Complex, with a world-class track, soccer fields, and a baseball diamond, draws students of all ages for organized sports, impromptu play, and exercise. Middle School students cross paths and engage with younger and older students, teachers, parents, and coaches from every division on their travels across campus. We know one another, we say hello in passing, and we celebrate community by sharing the 54-acre campus. Schauff Circle, an outdoor plaza next to the Middle School, is a communitywide gathering place where students of all ages, parents, and teachers meet friends or play pickup basketball.

Catlin Gabel’s Middle School facilities are just right for young people entering their teen years. Within the safety of our environs 11- to 14-year-olds are given space to mature under the watchful eyes of adults who know them well and care deeply about their learning, moral development, and safety.